Ice hockey-U.S. beat holders Czech Republic at worlds, Canada overpower Sweden
Ice Hockey - IIHF World Championships - Group B - Czech Republic v United States - Jyske Bank Boxen Arena, Herning, Denmark - May 20, 2025 Tage Thompson of the U.S. in action with Czech Republic's David and Karel Vejmelka REUTERS/David W Cerny
HERNING, Denmark - The United States came out on top of an ill-tempered affair and beat holders Czech Republic 5-2 at the men's World Championships on Tuesday to finish second in Group B, while Canada topped their group after a 5-3 win over co-hosts Sweden.
The U.S., who have failed to win a stand-alone world championship since 1933, will face Finland in Thursday's quarter-finals.
Josh Doan put the U.S. ahead midway through an opening period in which the Americans had three power plays and the Czechs four, but neither side took advantage.
David Pastrnak's goal in the opening minute of the second period drew the Czechs level and Martin Necas scored on a power play to put them ahead despite the U.S. outshooting the Czechs 38 to 16 in the first two periods.
The U.S. roared back with four unanswered goals in the final period, with Frank Nazar netting twice and Logan Cooley and Andrew Peeke also scoring.
The Czechs were looking to win the group but ended up third, level on points with the U.S., and meet Sweden next. Switzerland, runners-up last year, took top spot after a 4-1 win over Kazakhstan and will take on Austria.
Austria had no option but to win against Latvia, and they did so in style, racking up a shock 6-1 victory to reach the playoff round for the first time since 1994.
"It's huge," Austria's Vinzenz Rohrer, who scored two goals, said.
"It's not guaranteed for us, so when we get here it's a special thing. We take pride in this."
Canada, 28-times champions, bounced back from Monday's loss to Finland, and proved too strong for the Swedes who had the backing of a partisan crowd at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm.
Travis Sanheim put Canada ahead after 18 seconds before Elias Lindholm levelled when the Canadians had the power play advantage, but the Swedes were 3-1 down by the end of the first period.
With Canada 5-2 up, Sweden went for broke in the final minutes, pulling their goaltender, but could only cut the deficit by one.
Canada finished one point ahead of Sweden in Group A and now meet the other co-hosts Denmark who took fourth spot in Group B after a 2-1 shootout win over Germany. Finland, third in Group A, ended the preliminary round with a 2-1 win over Slovakia. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Macleod returns as Wales seek to end record losing streak against Japan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - International - Wales v Australia - Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - November 26, 2022 Wales' Josh Macleod and teammates look dejected after the match REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File Photo Flanker Josh Macleod will earn a first cap in almost three years when he starts for Wales against Japan in Kitakyushu on Saturday, as the visitors seek to end a record 17-game losing streak that has weighed heavily on the game in the country. Macleod has not featured for the side since the autumn series in 2022 and will make up a back three that also includes Alex Mann and experienced number eight Taulupe Faletau. Ben Carter and Teddy Williams are the second row pairing while hooker Dewi Lake, who captains the side, will have props Nicky Smith and Keiron Assiratti either side of him. Flyhalf Sam Costelow starts after missing the Six Nations through injury, with Kieran Hardy at scrumhalf. Ben Thomas and Johnny Williams make up the centre pairing, and there is a back three of wings Josh Adams and Tom Rogers, and full-back Blair Murray. Replacement hooker Liam Belcher is the only uncapped player in the match day 23. "We had a very good build-up. We tried to give everyone a fair chance of selection," stand-in coach Matt Sherratt said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Man to be charged after he allegedly damaged PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption "(Macleod) has struggled with some injuries, had a real rollercoaster over the last three or four years, so him coming back in is massive. "I think you could tell from the players' reaction when Liam Belcher was selected how much he deserves it. "He's been in the regional game for 10 years. He's gone back to university to do an electrician's degree and then he's managed to work his way into the national squad." Wales have not always got the reward their performances deserved in their horror 17-game losing run, and Sherratt is hoping they can keep their intensity throughout. "I think an 80-minute performance, that physical edge and making sure that we transfer training into the game is going to be the biggest thing for us. "It's going to be humid. It's going to be hot. Japan traditionally play quite a fast brand of rugby, so us getting up to speed with that is going to be key." Wales team: 15. Blair Murray, 14. Tom Rogers, 13. Johnny Williams, 12. Ben Thomas, 11. Josh Adams, 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Kieran Hardy, 8. Taulupe Faletau, 7. Josh Macleod, 6. Alex Mann, 5. Teddy Williams, 4. Ben Carter, 3. Keiron Assiratti, 2. Dewi Lake (captain), 1. Nicky Smith Replacements: 16. Liam Belcher, 17. Gareth Thomas, 18. Archie Griffin, 19. James Ratti, 20. Aaron Wainwright, 21. Tommy Reffell, 22. Rhodri Williams, 23. Joe Roberts. REUTERS
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Australia govt confirms $2.2 billion funding for 2032 Brisbane Games venues
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A view of the city skyline of Brisbane, the city expected to be announced as host for the 2032 Olympic Games, in Brisbane, Australia, July 4, 2021. Picture taken July 4, 2021. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo SYDNEY - The Australian government has confirmed it will contribute A$3.435 billion ($2.25 billion) towards the A$7.1 billion cost of building the venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, clearing the way for the start of construction. Queensland taxpayers and private finance will provide the balance of the money for the 17 new and upgraded venues for the Summer Games under the funding deal announced by state and federal governments on Thursday. "The Sydney 2000 Games left an incredible legacy and many Australians have memories that have lasted for decades," Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said in a statement. "We are ready to deliver a Brisbane 2032 games that will leave the same incredible legacy for Queensland. "The Australian government's commitment of A$3.4 billion towards the Games venues is the single largest contribution any Australian government has made towards sporting infrastructure in this country." Brisbane was awarded hosting rights for the Games in 2021 but political wrangling over the venues meant the final plans were not decided until March this year. Organising committee chief Andrew Liveris welcomed Thursday's announcement as a "significant shift in forward momentum". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption Asia Bus carrying 46 passengers crashes with two lorries in Johor, leaving two dead, 16 injured "I thank the Australian and Queensland governments for moving swiftly following the Australian government's recent return to office to agree on intergovernmental funding that will ensure physical works can get underway ..." he said. The main stadium, which is estimated to cost A$3.7 billion, will be built in the city's Victoria Park and seat 60,000 during the Olympics and 3,000 more for Australian Rules football and cricket matches after 2032. A new aquatics centre to host the swimming in 2032 will also be built nearby at an estimated cost of A$650 million. "Today's landmark agreement is the beginning of a new partnership that sets the pathway to deliver 2032 as the best Games ever," said Queensland's Deputy Prime Minister Jarrod Bleijie. "We've also launched procurement on four key projects to kickstart the delivery of world-class venues in the delivery plan. "I can also announce that we will start site investigations at Victoria Park for Australia's most exciting sporting precinct that will be home to the new main stadium and the new National Aquatic Centre." Liveris said in May that he did not think any ground would be broken on the two major new venues until the end of 2026. The federal government has already committed A$12.4 billion for local transport improvements that the Queensland government believes are necessary for 2032, the statement said. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Olympic champion Arisa Trew, 15, surges into X Games record books
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Australian skater Arisa Trew poses on the Red Carpet ahead of the 26th Laureus World Sports Awards gala in Madrid on April 21, 2025. LOS ANGELES – Teenage Olympic champion skateboarder Arisa Trew has made history by winning more gold medals in the X Games summer disciplines than any other woman and told Reuters she has no intention of slowing down. The 15-year-old Australian beamed a wide smile as she was mobbed by her fellow competitors at the top of the ramp after winning the vert best trick competition in thrilling fashion for her eighth X Games gold medal on Saturday. 'I was really happy when I landed my kickflip body varial 540 in the best trick competition because that was my first one since my knee injury at the start of the year,' she said in an interview this week. 'And it was really fun because they all ran up and were super stoked and congratulating me.' The memorable moment recalled her performance at the Paris Games last summer, where she became Australia's youngest Olympic champion by reaching the top of the park skateboarding podium. Trew credits her skateboarding journey to her early introduction to skateparks at around age seven by her father. She noted that sharing the sport with friends boosted her skills and passion, saying, 'I feel like I only started to get good when more girls started skating because it gave me people to skate with, to push off of, and to just have fun with.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore $1.46b nickel-trading scam: Ng Yu Zhi's bid for bail midway through trial denied by High Court Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore Jail for 'sugar daddy' who gave minor cash for sex, threatened to post her explicit videos online Singapore Train service resumes across Bukit Panjang LRT line after power fault led to 3-hour disruption Singapore Is using Gen AI for schoolwork and tests cheating? Trew's ambition grew when she landed her first 540 - a trick where a skater completes 1-1/2 rotations while airborne. 'There weren't many girls doing 540s, and I thought that was really cool,' she said. This achievement fueled her desire to compete and master new tricks, with the goal of skating alongside other elite female competitors at events like the X Games and the Olympics. 'I wanted to be there skating with them,' she said. Looking ahead, Trew, who grew up on the Gold Coast in Queensland and spends time training in the U.S., is set to defend her Olympic title at the Los Angeles Games in 2028 at age 18 and plans to compete again in Brisbane four years later. Despite her future plans, she remains focused on each event, with Tony Hawk's Vert Alert in Salt Lake City later this month the next on her schedule. 'I just like try to get better every time because there are definitely a lot of improvements I need to make at each competition,' she said. REUTERS
